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'Then demand a ceasefire': Internet calls out Joe Biden after post claiming violence is what Hamas seeks

Three crucial sentences, excerpted from Biden's recent speech, left many wondering if the President was endorsing a ceasefire for the first time

WASHINGTON, DC: In a surprising turn of events on Tuesday night, November 28, a tweet from President Joe Biden's campaign account triggered speculation and debate about a potential shift in the US stance on the Israel-Hamas conflict.

The three sentences, excerpted from a speech Biden delivered on Saturday, November 25, regarding hostage releases, left many wondering if the President was endorsing a ceasefire for the first time.

The tweet stated, "Hamas unleashed a terrorist attack because they fear nothing more than Israelis and Palestinians living side by side in peace. To continue down the path of terror, violence, killing, and war is to give Hamas what they seek. We can't do that."

Social media reactions

Many on social media responded to the post with calls for a ceasefire.

"Then please use your diplomatic power for a permanent ceasefire," one replied.

"Is this a call for a ceasefire?" another wondered.

"So if continuing down the path of war is bad, perhaps we should push for some kind of 'opposite' of 'war,' like a cessation of conflict of some kind," someone else offered.

"Glad to hear you hate violence, Joe. That's new," another chimed in. 

Joyce Karam, a senior editor with the Middle East news publication Al-Monitor, suggested that Biden had "essentially endorsed a ceasefire," viewing it as a potential "major shift in tone," more aligned with progressive activists.

However, a senior Biden administration official swiftly contradicted these interpretations, asserting that there was no change in policy.

The official reinforced the White House's unwavering support for Israel's military campaign against Hamas, stating, "The president continues to strongly believe that Israel has every right to defend itself from an active terrorist threat."

"We have seen Hamas officials say publicly that they want to try to commit the atrocities of October 7 again and again,” the official continued. “As the president has said many times, Israel has every right and even the responsibility to protect its citizens from an active terrorist threat, so the president continues to strongly stand with Israel as it defends itself from Hamas.”

Hope for peace? Unpacking Biden's remarks

The official clarified that the tweet was part of a longer speech, and it did not indicate a deviation from the established policy. The quoted passage in the tweet originated from Biden's remarks after Hamas released hostages during a humanitarian pause in the fighting.

“He meant that we can’t lose hope for peace, ultimately, in the region, that it’s still incredibly important that we continue to lay the groundwork for, and create the conditions for, a lasting peace, and that involves a two-state solution,” the senior administration official told Jewish Insider.

"We want this to be the last war, and we recognize that, for that to happen, Hamas can't be the governing authority," the official asserted. “They have to be out of power, because if you have Hamas in power, you’re likely to have another conflict.”

The Biden administration expressed support for the current truce to continue, aiming to release more hostages and provide humanitarian aid to Gaza. However, once the pause concludes, Israel has pledged to resume its campaign against Hamas with the goal of eradicating the militant group.

“As Israel defends itself from terrorism, they have the obligation to do everything possible to prevent any civilian casualties and distinguish between terrorists and civilians,” the official said.

“Even though Hamas commits international humanitarian law violations by actively embedding itself within the civilian population, Israel still has the obligation to do everything they can to prevent civilian casualties.”

The support for Israel's war against Hamas comes amid emerging disagreements between Washington and Jerusalem over the aggressive military operations in Gaza.

The Biden administration has advised Israel to exercise caution in expanding operations in southern Gaza, expressing concerns about potential humanitarian disasters resulting from large-scale military activities.

National Security Council coordinator for strategic communications, John Kirby, urged Israel to postpone such operations until displaced individuals within Gaza are located.